Red Giant Sun

  • Released Friday, July 18, 2008
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What would happen in 4 billion years when our sun begins heading toward supernova? Scientists theorize that our sun would grow in size and for a time become a red giant. These animations show the resulting effects on the planets of our solar system.

This animation shows the changing habitable zone as the sun expands to become a Red Giant.

The Earth becomes a dead hot world and Mars becomes more temperate and suitable for life.

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

This page was originally published on Friday, July 18, 2008.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:55 PM EDT.